Natural Resveratrol Sources

Resveratrol is a naturally-occurring compound. Before the advent of dietary supplements containing Resveratrol, this substance was most commonly found in nature. Resveratrol is an antibiotic, a phytoalexin to be exact, that protects plants from harmful elements of their surroundings, such as extreme weather conditions, very hot or cold temperatures, virus and bacteria that cause diseases, and overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun.

In ancient and traditional Chinese medicine, Resveratrol was already being used to heal minor ailments and small wounds. This compound is most commonly found in the giant knotweed, a sturdy weed native to China but has also been found in many parts of the world. The giant knotweed is the only plant that is known to produce the most amount of Resveratrol. It is often used to supply the Resveratrol concentration in many dietary supplements being produced today.

This then proves that, contrary to popular belief, grapes are not the most abundant source of Resveratrol, although they are the most popular. Resveratrol is found in the skins, seeds, and stems of red grapes. A good food source of Resveratrol is red wine, which also gives some sort of explanation to the French Paradox, where the French, who have red wine as a meal staple, live longer and healthier lives despite their unhealthy diets rich in fat. Grape juice and white wine are not as good sources of Resveratrol of red wine because they are not made from the skins, seeds, and stems of the plant.

Aside from grapes, a number of other plants also contain modest amounts of Resveratrol. Berries, especially strawberries, cranberries, and blueberries, also contain Resveratrol mostly in their seeds. Other medicinal plants producing this compound are hu zhang, a medicinal herb used in Chinese traditional medicine, and senna quinquangulata, a shrub native to South America. Hu zhang, like the giant knotweed, is also often used in the production of Resveratrol supplements.

Resveratrol is also found in eucalyptus, spruce, lilies, and mulberries.

Based on research, the top recommended resveratrol supplement is Resveratrol Select